Vacation is a time to unwind and relax especially when it comes to dining. Have you ever heard the phrase “vacation calories don’t count?” While that is not true, it is true that we all indulge and enjoy those ‘treat-type’ foods while on vacation!
Each evening, at every destination we travel to for vacation, we reserve our appetites for pizza. Guess what? While we were in the Rehoboth Beach area we found the best pizza destination in Rehoboth Beach. Want to know how I know it is the best?
The best pizza destination offered calzones (that the one teen devoured), offered allergen friendly dining (for Where Niko Travels) and creates killer buffalo chicken pizza (which my daughter uses as her gauge of good) and there was plentiful seating.
If you love pizza, dining indoors or outdoors and near the beach, you certainly do not want to miss this pizza destination. From eating a slice of pizza pie on the beach to dining at any of the locations, open that pie hole and indulge! Lavishly share in culinary love and visit the best pizza destination in Rehoboth Beach!
Best Pizza Destination In Rehoboth Beach
While the meal was provided, images and story are my own, based on my experience at Grotto Pizza, established 1960! For all that know me, and if you are new, welcome, and please note, only I only write about the best of the best, so you can experience the same! Let’s talk destination Pizza! If you want other food suggestions make sure to check out Visit Southern Delaware to help you plan all of your stops!
Mega Good and Bad Grotto Pizza News
First things first, no matter where you drive in the Southern Delaware area you are sure to see the name Grotto Pizza it is legendary and has multiple locations. Great news if you got to a slice of pizza pie in Rehoboth, the bad news is if you did not.
However, the good news is the fact that if you happen to miss your opportunity of dining at Grotto Pizza while in Southern Delaware, try their other numerous locations in Maryland and Pennsylvania (our goal is to visit them one by one!).
This is not a one location wonder, there are multiple and each time we passed a different one on the trip, we all discussed our pizza night singing praises to the flavor! In fact, get ready because you will see the name of this brand on every trolley you pass, and on billboards when driving. If it is pizza your family wants, pizza salvation is what you shall have!
The Family Decision Thing
Truth be told, whenever you vacation as a family or a group of friends, you know as a family it can certainly be very difficult to pick one location to dine at. wherever you choose has to offer something for everyone on that menu or there will be one sour lemon at the table! Once you combat that find you do hope that everybody will be happy but that may not always be the case.
Our challenge: food allergies, a vegetarian, and 2 others that eat everything. Therefore, we have to find a restaurant that is suitable for all of the above before we stop. For us, Grotto Pizza was the destination and a really good decision.
From families to large groups, to little kids, tired and sunburned parents and couples all congregate at Grottos Pizza. I have to say that no matter which location we passed, they were all hopping busy (this is a good thing in the world of food!)
Steps From The Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach
Want to know what it looks like inside and out take a look at this video. First, the patio dining, after all, beach weather is about enjoying dining al fresco.
What you see here is both indoor and outdoor dining and both are equally nice. First here is a still shot of the outside patio dining it is covered, offers fans and plenty of seating. In case you were wondering we ate here on a Monday night at 5 P EST, so you can get a feel for the crowd on a weekday and at the time. However, do not plan on every night at this time being busy or early, we are here in peak season but summer is just starting.
Summer Libation
Yes, grotto pizza serves alcohol in here is the beverage that I had, in fact, it was brand new to the menu. Choose from beers and wines and mixed drinks whatever makes your beach vacation happier.
So my Deep Eddy’s Summer Iced tea was a Lemon Iced Tea and very refreshing from start to finish! Cheers!
Appetizers From Busy Days To Delicious Starts
There are multiple appetizers, on the menu. However, for us, allergen dining for our family often omits the option of anything fried unless there is a dedicated fryer, due to Where Niko Travels allergies. For this reason, we opted to go family style and order the Signature Antipasto Salad.
It’s the Grotto Signature Antipasto ‘chopped’ per our server Linda. She suggested getting it chopped, I did not realize the MEAT would be chopped too! Do not get the salad chop if you do not eat meat this way you can pick the meat off and still use it as a family serving!
Pizza Chit Chat
My daughter loves a great Buffalo chicken pizza and Grotto pizza really delivered. However, she decided to really go extreme and did a split of culinary sampling: Behold a 1/2 BBQ Chicken and a 1/2 Buffalo Chicken abed a 12″ crust.
The Chicken BBQ is a brand new summer edition for you! It’s pulled chicken breast that is marinated in a BBQ. Bacon, tomato, red onion and signature sauce and then drizzled with ranch dressing! Yum on a pizza tray.
Take a look at this period the crust is nice and crunchy without ripping the top of your mouth while biting. The flavor is intense but not so hot that it kills you and your nostrils! She loved this and even took a few cuts back to our hotel!
Calzone lovers
For all of you who love good Calzones, you definitely want to investigate the offerings at grotto pizza. The calzone here made MJ Travels top calzone list and that is saying something. MJ Travels bases his taste decision on cheese and how stretchy it is as well as flavorful. Additionally, if the crust is crunchy yet does not rip up the roof of his mouth! Ok, stop licking the screen now, lol!
MJ Travels found this selection of pepperoni and cheese it is a generous serving sure to fill a hungry belly. Trust me, he is pretty picky when it comes to flavors and too much spice this had great flavor and not too much spice and he ate the whole thing!
Margherita pizza
I am pretty much a connoisseur of Margherita pizzas because I ♥ love tomato and fresh cheese. This is the only pizza that offers straight-up mozzarella at the grotto restaurant. (inside info from our server who has been there 42 years!)
The sauce is sweet with a little bit of spice and hang, while the tomatoes were very fresh and diced perfectly. The crust was evenly baked and made for a beautiful presentation as well loaded with fresh flavor.
Grande Stuffed Pizza – Junior Size
Where Niko travels decided that he wanted to enjoy a stuffed pizza in the Junior size and that is exactly what he did. He got himself a single serving pizza and was delighted with the flavor and that it was allergen friendly.
The Grand Stuffed Pizza is a pizza that is not a stuffed crust, rather the toppings are STUFFED under the cheese! Where Niko Travels ordered this with 1/2 cheese and 1/2 pepperoni, held the garlic and the onion. Yes, he loved every bite of it.
A Word About Allergen Friendly Dining
Please remember that you need to define your scope of allergies to the general manager upon arrival at any restaurant. Also, remember that Where Niko Travels allergies will differ from yours. So what was allergen-friendly to him may not be to you? The menu is large so options vary.
Grotto Pizza Dining Tips
Allow about one hour of time to dine here and do try to avoid peak times for eating as he can get sinfully busy but it is because it is super delicious. Additionally, there are a lot of seats both outside and inside. If you decide you prefer to take it with you call ahead or walk up from the beach and order it they do have takeout and delivery!
Parking is in the heart of Rehoboth Beach on Rehoboth Beach Avenue, so play that into your timing! If it is a simple pickup, you will easily find a 30 minute metered parking space. However, if you are trying to dine-in and hang at the boardwalk, then you need parking with a 2-hour limit (that’s all the meters provide), so plan this into your food run!
You are at the beach, attire is casual (but top and shoes are required).